Thanks so much for this info! Yes it makes sense and I did end up having to put insoles in mine too (the thick Stiletto Hardware ones) and that made them more wearable. I share your frustration about the sizing advice, especially for us small-footed ladies!
Shoes Valentino Shoe SIZING QUESTIONS & ADVICE here
- Thread starter Chanel 0407
- Start date
TPF may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, and others
Thanks so much for this info! Yes it makes sense and I did end up having to put insoles in mine too (the thick Stiletto Hardware ones) and that made them more wearable. I share your frustration about the sizing advice, especially for us small-footed ladies!
No problem at all, I'm so glad I've come across someone that understands lol. I once considered getting the caged flats but decided to pass, as the kitten heels were actually easier to walk on. Do you own any of their pumps? They're actually more comfy than the flats, surprisingly!
Sorry to hear the caged flats gave you problems.
I have a pair of the caged flats and feel like they fit much better than the non-caged version. I take a 35 in the caged flats too and, while they are still loose in the back like the non-caged, they seem to stay on the foot better because of the straps holding them down and I don't need to put in any insoles. After seeing the fit of the non-caged flats, from now on I'm only buying the caged flats or heels. I do have the heels and agree they definitely fit better than the flats and are very comfy overall! 
Oh I actually haven't bought the caged flats yet, but from my research on tpf and checking out photos, I decided to pass on them. I'm very petite haha, so any bit of heels helpsSorry to hear the caged flats gave you problems.
The other reason for me is I almost ALWAYS have blisters when wearing traditional court shoes/flats (maybe a good thing about my slightly big non caged Valentino flats is that they don't rub my feet so no blisters lol). None of my designer shoes/flats/ have caused me any blisters whatsoever so they're worth the money in that sense. I love slingbacks because they're so non restrictive at the bag of the feet! May I ask how you find the sizing of the 10mm patent rockstud heels? I'm eyeing on a pair (in poudre) and wonder if I should stay with my true size, or size up, or even size down, since my most recent kitten heels in patent have loose straps on me..thanks!
Oh I actually haven't bought the caged flats yet, but from my research on tpf and checking out photos, I decided to pass on them. I'm very petite haha, so any bit of heels helps
May I ask how you find the sizing of the 10mm patent rockstud heels? I'm eyeing on a pair (in poudre) and wonder if I should stay with my true size, or size up, or even size down, since my most recent kitten heels in patent have loose straps on me..thanks!
I don't own a pair of the 100mm patent myself so can't speak from long-term experience, but from memory trying on the shoes in stores, the patent and regular leather fit the same. I don't think sizing up or down for the ankle straps really made a difference IIRC, as they seemed to be the same length in either size (35 and 35.5) so sticking with your regular 35 should be a safe bet. I did have to punch holes in the straps to get the to the tightest for the kitten heels. I didn't bother trying a 34.5 since I didn't want heel overhang and the 35 was already at the edge of my heel.
Decided to add some of my Rockstud collection for sizing reference for those of us with smaller feet. I'm a size 35 in Valentinos and have medium to wide feet.
1. Caged ballet flats vs. non-caged- both styles run at least a half size big, especially length-wise.
I use a half insole for the non-caged flats to fill up the space and stop my heel coming out of the shoe, but the toes are more squished so it's not as comfy.
I prefer the caged flats since the straps make them more secure, and I don't need an insole. I can comfortably wiggle my toes inside the toebox without any pinching.
2. Rockstud kitten heels- very comfy and TTS. My ankles are about 8 inches in circumference at the third (highest) strap and I had additional hole punched into all three straps so they would fit tighter. The first and second straps do still have a bit of a gap, but negligible.
Toebox is comfy and toes are not squished. Heels are ok, no overhang, but just about there.
3. Rockstud 100mm classic- TTS, same as kitten heel and comfy. You may need to have additional holes punched in for the ankle strap.
4. Rockstud Tango (all three heel heights)- IMO runs 1/2 size big. I tried a size 35 and was "stepping out" of the shoe, even with the ankle strap. i could fit a finger in the heel gap, so definitely the shoe would need an insole.
HTH my fellow petite-footed femmes!
1. Caged ballet flats vs. non-caged- both styles run at least a half size big, especially length-wise.
I use a half insole for the non-caged flats to fill up the space and stop my heel coming out of the shoe, but the toes are more squished so it's not as comfy.
I prefer the caged flats since the straps make them more secure, and I don't need an insole. I can comfortably wiggle my toes inside the toebox without any pinching.
2. Rockstud kitten heels- very comfy and TTS. My ankles are about 8 inches in circumference at the third (highest) strap and I had additional hole punched into all three straps so they would fit tighter. The first and second straps do still have a bit of a gap, but negligible.
Toebox is comfy and toes are not squished. Heels are ok, no overhang, but just about there.
3. Rockstud 100mm classic- TTS, same as kitten heel and comfy. You may need to have additional holes punched in for the ankle strap.
4. Rockstud Tango (all three heel heights)- IMO runs 1/2 size big. I tried a size 35 and was "stepping out" of the shoe, even with the ankle strap. i could fit a finger in the heel gap, so definitely the shoe would need an insole.
HTH my fellow petite-footed femmes!
Help me with sizing please! I am usually a 35-36 depending on the brand/style but I'm more used to sandals/loafers/boots. I just got these kitten heels in 36, they are on the tightest hole and still a bit loose around the ankle. My heel lifts off the shoe a bit when I walk but the cage keeps it all together.
Also - they are patent and without tights the toe box seems to hurt the top of my toes. Will that improve as they break in? Will that part remain hard?
Also - they are patent and without tights the toe box seems to hurt the top of my toes. Will that improve as they break in? Will that part remain hard?
Attachments
I can't speak for RS patent specifically as I do not own any, but maybe you could try to stretch the toe box a bit. Patent doesn't give as much as normal leather, but I have other patent shoes (Louboutins) that HAVE stretched after wearing them in.
FWIW my RS in the same style are also loose, especially the top strap. Too bad we can't punch more holes in due to the studs!
Do you find the loose strap makes it difficult to walk?
Here is how loose they are. I could add an insole/cushion at the ball of my foot but if the straps stretch any more they will be even more loose. But if I size down the toe box may be too snug.
Attachments
I wouldn't say it's difficult as I can walk ok in them, but it's a bit annoying when your heel "lifts" off the bottom of the shoe while walking. I have less of a gap than the ones in your photo though. My heel comes up maybe 1/4 of an inch.
Can you try to punch in one more hole so that the buckle really comes up against the stud? I think there is a bit of room there in your photos, especially the last one where there seems to be a quarter inch or so space on the strap. If all else fails, try the half size down just for comparison's sake? It's really not worth walking in them IMO if you have trouble walking.